​Despite Early Elimination, Busch Shows Consistency Late in Playoffs

By: Dylan Alarcon     Image uncredited via Twitter 

Despite a forgettable season rife with mechanical issues and unlucky situations, Kyle Busch has quietly managed to finish 3rd in his last 2 consecutive races. The first coming at the Charlotte ROVAL and now at Las Vegas. Busch did so after not only spinning early, but also losing a left front wheel and having to limp his car back to pit road.

Charlotte marked his first top 5 finish since June at Gateway. The third of three consecutive top 5 finishes that was then followed by a streak of sub-20th place finishes. 

With Busch's departure from Joe Gibbs Racing approaching, the playoff races at Homestead, Martinsville and Phoenix finale will be his final opportunities to score a final win with that organization in the iconic #18 car. 

Busch will be piloting the #8 car for Richard Childress Racing at the start of the 2023 season, taking over for Tyler Reddick. Reddick previously announced his departure from RCR to 23XI Racing set for the 2024 season, but Kurt Busch's premature retirement as a result of ongoing concussion-related symptoms has left a spot open for the #45 car, allowing owner Richard Childress to release Reddick a year early.

The 45 is currently being piloted by Bubba Wallace in the pursuit of an owner's championship for 23XI Racing, with Xfinity driver Ty Gibbs piloting Wallace's 23 car for the remainder of the season.